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Description: | A pair of fragments presumably from the same pair of Post Medieval cast copper-alloy spurs (c. 17th century). Although the spur terminals are of identical construction the rowels themselves, which are otherwise similar, differ in their number of points; one may be a replacement.Both terminals mostly only have the split element which bifurcates to accommodate the rowel remaining, the rest of the necks and sides of the spurs are lost to old breaks. The tips are rounded and perforated to take an axis bar around which the rowel rotates. On one fragment, which is more corroded in general, the bar has been lost as a result of corrosion; it was made of iron judging by the stains. On the other fragment the iron bar has almost broken through at a point just off centre. Below the tips is a solid transverse ridge on both sides. Beyond, the upper surface is beveled giving the sides of the split end a triangular cross-section.The terminals end in an angled section just beyond the end of the splits, these have a raised collar around the edge and the stub of the necks of the spurs. The necks continued at an angle of 45 degrees to the terminals. That both spurs have broken at this point suggests that it was particularly weak. In the triangles at the end of the terminals created by the angled collars, are raised triangles with their bases along the end of the split and their points on the centre ridge on both sides. On the less corroded piece (with the rowel in place) diagonal lines of finely punched crescents form chevrons along the beveled sides of the split. There are traces of gilt is some of these crescents. On the more corroded piece some similar lines of punched crescents can be seen in places, although the overall design is less clear they probably also form chevrons.Found in association with the more corroded spur terminal is a rowel of five points. The arms are beveled and separated from each other by grooves. This too is highly corroded with a brown patina surviving at the tips; no decoration is discernible. Retained within the other spur terminal is a six pointed rowel, with similar grooves and more subtle beveling; one of the points has been bent sideways. Along the centre of each point is a row of punched crescents. This rowel is also corroded but less than the other, and has patches of surviving dark-green patina. Both rowels have broadly central piercings for mounting.Given the identical forms and similar decoration these two spur/rowel sets seem to form a pair. The different in number of points in the rowels may suggest one was a replacement.The terminals both measure c. 43.4mm in length, up to 14.05mm in width and up to c. 10.95mm in thickness. The five-pointed rowel measure 44.1mm across and 4.2mm in thickness; it weighs 14.46g. The six-pointed rowel measures 43.2mm across and 2.6mm in thickness. The whole group of both spurs and rowels weighs 57.64g.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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